Zhao Shan saw Yao Xiao lying down and acting small, with a smile on his face.
Yao Xiao knew the current affairs, and after surrendering, he was able to calm down and be honest and obedient. This is the Duke of Liang that Daqian needs. If Yao Xiao doesn't understand current affairs and still wants to cause trouble, Zhao Shan will mess with Yao Xiao.
Zhao Shan praised and said: "Yao Qing dances to add to the fun. I'll wait and see."
"It is my honor to dance for His Majesty."
Yao Xiao walked to the main hall and danced.
His dance is Liangzhou Hu Xuan Dance, which is a fusion of dances from the Western Regions. The dance turns sharply like the wind and requires sufficient waist strength. People who dance well not only spin, but also spin in time with the dance, or beat the instrument.
Yao Xiao has no musical instruments, just a simple Hu Xuan dance that beats the rhythm. The rhythm is bright and the rotation is like a gust of wind.
Even so, the rhythm and melody are bright and quite beautiful.
Zhao Shan was surprised.
Yao Xiao, who looks a little weak, can actually perform such a dance.
After a while, Yao Xiao stopped. His breathing was rapid and there were beads of sweat on his forehead. Yao Xiao took several deep breaths in succession, calmed down his breathing rhythm a little, and said, "My Hu Xuan dance is a bit bad, which made Your Majesty laugh."
Zhao Shan praised: "Yao Qing dances very well. I will reward you with ten pieces of brocade and silk and a thousand taels of silver."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Yao Xiao bowed respectfully and sat down again.
The emperor's award is not worth mentioning, it is just a thousand taels of silver. The key is that if the emperor is happy, his life will be easier.
Zhao Shan held the wine bottle and said loudly: "Yao Qing dances for fun, how can you not have a drink? My dears, have a drink!"
"Drink!"
All civil and military officials shouted and drank.
As the banquet continued, there were also Hanlin officials from the court reciting poems and writing poems to celebrate the expansion of Daqian territory. Poems praising Zhao Shan and articles of praise pushed the atmosphere in the hall to a climax.
The feast continued until evening.
Although they all drank a lot, the civil and military officials who came to the court for the banquet were all human spirits. In addition, the alcohol was slowly dissipating after drinking for a long time, and they were all sober by the end of the drink.
Everyone left shaking their heads, feeling very excited.
Zhao Shan finished his work and staggered to the harem, not dealing with government affairs for the time being. After the banquet and celebration had passed and the weather was getting colder, Zhao Shan's focus fell on managing the place and digesting Xiliang.
The news of Zhao Shan's annexation of Xiliang also spread as quickly as possible to surrounding countries.
The first one to get the news was the Northern Jin Kingdom.
The royal tent.
Emperor Wanyanming took the letter sent back from Daqian and saw that Emperor Yao Guang of Xiliang was killed, and Yao Qian was overthrown by Yao Xiao. Finally, Yao Xiao took all the civil and military officials of Xiliang to Yunwu County and surrendered to Daqian. It's dry, I just feel my scalp is numb.
He did not think that this was a simple internal fight. There must be interference from Daqian and Zhao Shan's influence.
Because in the end it was Zhao Shan who profited.
Xiliang is gone, and Daqian annexed Xiliang. You say that Daqian had no involvement.
is it possible?
Wanyanming thought about it carefully and was even more shocked.
Zhao Shan defeated the Xiliang army in a battle in Yunwu County. He could have marched straight in and directly destroyed Xiliang, but he chose to go in circles. Such cunning and calculating methods really frightened Wanyan Ming.
What if the same trick falls on him?
What if Zhao Shan wants to repeat his old tricks?
He can't stop it!
When Wanyan Ming thought of this, he became even more flustered and quickly ordered: "Whoever comes, please inform Prime Minister Xiao Li, Taiwei Yeluqing, and Prince Wanyanzhuang to come and discuss the matter."
After a major defeat, Wan Yanming did not dismiss Xiao Li as prime minister, nor did he adjust Yelu Qing's official position. After all, both of them were from the Jin Kingdom's wealthy families and had been in the court for many years, so they were still needed.
He didn't believe Wan Yanming's other sons. Wanyanzhuang is the youngest son and does not have much influence. He has been supported by Wanyanming as the prince.
In the Jin Kingdom this year, there were many local tribal rebellions, all of which were not subject to the control of the imperial court.
Wanyanming was busy fighting the rebellion and had many things to do.
Thanks to the strength of the Wanyan royal family and the prestige of Wanyan Ming for many years, the situation in the Jin Kingdom was barely stabilized, and the trend of civil strife eased slightly. Even so, the overall strength of the Jin Kingdom has weakened too much.
Not long after, Xiao Li, Yeluqing and Wanyan Zhuang entered the camp together and saluted, "Your Majesty."
Wan Yanming handed the letter over and ordered, "Read it carefully."
Xiao Li read it first, followed by Yelu Qing, and finally Wanyan Zhuang. All three of them couldn't help but look shocked.
Xiliang Kingdom is destroyed!
Xiliang is gone!
Daqian's foreign policy has always been to support vassal states. As long as they pay tribute to Daqian's vassals, Daqian will not send troops to attack, and will even give back more benefits.
Emperor Zhao Shan was different. He used various means to provoke civil strife in Xiliang, causing Xiliang to fight each other, and then annexed Xiliang.
This breaks precedent.
Daqian could destroy Xiliang, and he could also destroy the Jin Kingdom in the same way.
Wan Yanming looked serious and said in a deep voice: "What do you think about this?"
Xiao Li stroked his beard under his chin and said slowly: "Your Majesty, the reason for the internal strife in Xiliang and the specific process of the internal strife. We are too far apart and do not have enough precise information to understand the context."
"But I would venture to make a guess."
"Yao Xiao was the last person to submit to Zhao Shan. He must have been supported by Zhao Shan. This is for sure."
"Yao Qian was defeated by Zhao Shan in Yunwu County at the beginning. When he escaped back to Guzang County, he easily led his men to kill Yao Guang. Zhao Shan's power should also be there to help him, otherwise Yao Qian would not have this strength. "
"It's just that Yao Qian became Zhao Shan's pawn and Zhao Shan's abandoned son."
Xiao Li talked eloquently and continued: "Zhao Shan's scheming is too deep. I concluded that the internal fighting in Xiliang was caused by Zhao Shan's fanning the flames."
Yeluqing said: "I agree with Prime Minister Xiao's analysis. Zhao Shan's methods are too insidious."
Wanyanzhuang's mind was spinning.
Previously, he took Qian south to Yunzhong County to meet Zhao Shanhe in exchange for prisoners. At that time, in order to win Zhao Shan's trust, he expressed his loyalty to Zhao Shan and said that he would obey Zhao Shan's arrangements in everything.
Zhao Shan's words had hidden meanings, and he also planned to support him to usurp the throne and let him kill his father Wan Yanming.
Wanyanzhuang was young and didn't have many direct relatives, so he could only tolerate it appropriately. Because he was appointed as the crown prince, he got closer to Xiao Li and Yelu Qing, and he also cultivated people in his East Palace, so he gained some strength.
Wanyanzhuang had previously agreed to respond to Zhao Shan's ideas, so why should he not be the emperor?
Now there is hesitation.
If he resorts to mutiny, will Zhao Shan support other people to overthrow him, and finally control the Kingdom of Jin and completely annex the Kingdom of Jin?
It's all possible.
After all, Wan Yanzhuang was a prince, one person inferior to ten thousand people. Once you submit to Daqian, you will be like a bird in a cage, and your life will be even more miserable.
If you want to put down the idea of mutiny for the time being, you have to develop your own power first.
Wanyan Zhuang had an idea and took the initiative: "Father, Zhao Shan is using deceitful means to annex Xiliang. We must unite as never before. We cannot be deceived by Zhao Shan, let alone used by Zhao Shan. Otherwise, we will harm ourselves. .”
Wan Yanming praised: "The prince is right, we must work together as one, otherwise the Xiliang of today will be us in the future."
Xiao Li was not willing to lose power, so he took the initiative and said: "Your Majesty, I suggest that the destruction of Xiliang be spread throughout the country so that people in all tribes know about it. Daqian is now rising like a rising dragon in the East. , cannot be contained or contested, and must be united."
Wan Yanming replied: "The Prime Minister is right."
Xiao Li further said: "In addition to uniting ourselves, we must further keep ourselves low and be small, let Zhao Shan know our attitude of respecting him, and not give Zhao Shan a chance to find fault, so that Zhao Shan can't find a reason to send troops."
Yeluqing said: "I second the proposal!"
Wanyan Zhuang said: "My son, I also second the proposal."
After thinking about it, Wanyan Ming said: "I decided to arrange for Prime Minister Xiao Li to go to Luoyang, Daqian on my behalf, to congratulate the Emperor of Daqian, and to honor Zhao Shanshang with the title of Heavenly Khan. We sent tribute gifts and even took the initiative to mention With your honorific title, does Zhao Shan still have a reason to send troops?"
Xiao Li clenched his teeth after hearing this.
He doesn't want to go!
He doesn't want to go!
Zhao Shan is a ferocious tiger that will devour people if not careful. Luoyang is also a dragon's pond and a tiger's den. If you take the initiative to go to Luoyang, wouldn't you be courting death?
Just as Xiao Li was about to refuse, he noticed Wan Yanzhuang's cold eyes and shuddered. He swallowed all the words that came to his lips and said respectfully: "I accept the order!"
Wan Yanming nodded with satisfaction and ordered: "Everyone, please step aside and each perform his or her duties."
Xiao Li, Yeluqing and Wanyanzhuang left hand in hand.
Yeluqing walked out of the tent, looked at the effect, and said jokingly: "Prime Minister Xiao, congratulations."
"Humph, you will have this day too."
Xiao Li snorted and left angrily. There is no way, my emperor is a jackal, and Zhao Shan is a tiger and leopard. Jackals, tigers and leopards are both fierce, and Luoyang has to go to the dragon's pond and the tiger's den.
Xiao Li left, prepared a congratulatory gift, and hurriedly led the delegation south.
…
The imperial capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty, Longcheng.
In the imperial city.
Tuoba Hong is now addicted to enjoying the singing and dancing performances.
There weren't many entertainment options in this era. Tuobahong didn't like gambling, making alchemy, or cultivating immortality, and he didn't even like playing football or Cuju. He didn't even have the slightest interest in carpentry, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
He had been living a good life for many years, but he could no longer hunt, so he could only challenge his weaknesses and practice singing and dancing every day.
Once upon a time, Tuoba Hong was a wise king who worked hard to govern and was very ambitious.
It's a pity that he and Zhao Shansheng were in the same era. After being crushed by Zhao Shan one after another, he lost his fighting spirit. He also realized the reality that Zhao Shan was invincible and began to completely mess up.
It’s useless if it doesn’t show up.
The more he cheered up, the more he wanted to fight with Zhao Shan, but the end result was bruises all over his body. Instead, it would be better to just lie down, do nothing, and not provoke Zhao Shan. I guess the situation would be better.
Just like that, Tuoba Hong looked away.
Now it's just a matter of living it day by day. If something goes wrong with Zhao Shan, if he dies of illness in middle age, he might have a chance.
Zhao Shan had no problems, he just indulged in enjoyment and lived a good life.
Tuoba Hong frowned slightly while enjoying the singing and dancing. Because of the rise of Daqian, the troops of the Northern Wei Dynasty did not dare to go south to plunder. They did not thresh grain grass or capture the beautiful young women of Daqian for many years.
Many supplies of the Northern Wei Dynasty, such as silk cloth, tea, salt, iron, spices, rouge, etc., came from Daqian, and they all required commercial exchanges to maintain their current status.
Trading with Daqian was very important to the Northern Wei Dynasty.
Although trade can flow, it cannot capture beautiful women, resulting in a deviation in the overall quality of the singers in the palace. Many singers have good looks but poor skin. Some singers have good skin, but their appearance is mediocre, and none of them are perfect.
Tuoba Hong also ordered the selection of palace maidens.
The problem is that women with ordinary status in the north usually do too much, and the maids selected are all crooked, with skin that is not smooth and delicate at all. Such maids are not interesting to Tuoba Hong.
An aristocratic woman with status, she looks pretty, and her skin has not been affected by the cold wind or the scorching sun. However, these people were drafted into the palace and became concubines, so they could not serve as palace maids and singers.
The situation of neither improving nor falling leads to a somewhat poor overall quality of the singer.
Tuoba Hong admired it boredly. The sound of rapid footsteps came from outside, which immediately attracted Tuoba Hong's attention.
"Your Majesty, something serious has happened."
Li Sande, the chief eunuch, shouted from a distance.
Tuoba Hong raised his brows and his heart suddenly sank. It was definitely not a small thing to make Li Sande like this. After a while, Li Sande ran to Tuoba Hong and knelt on the ground in one step.
He chose to slide and kneel, and after a while of sliding forward, he came to Tuoba Hong skillfully and said eagerly: "Your Majesty, the Xiliang Kingdom is destroyed."
"What?"
Tuoba Hong was completely shocked.
He clenched his fists, stood up directly, with a look of disbelief on his face, and asked eagerly: "What's going on?"
Li Sande briefly explained the general situation and handed over the letter.
Tuoba Hong opened the letter sent back and read it. After reading it three times in a row, his eyes were horrified and he gritted his teeth and said: "What a Zhao Shan, what a move to drive the tiger to swallow the wolf, use Yao Gan to kill Yao Guang, and then force Yao Xiao to submit. The method is really clever."
Li Sande looked like he didn't understand and asked: "Your Majesty, I know that Yao Xiao has surrendered to Da Qian. But Yao Qian and Yao Guang's father and son were fighting among themselves. How come it was Zhao Shan who drove the tiger to devour the wolf?"
Tuoba Hong said disdainfully: "How can you understand with your little brain? If you could figure it out, you wouldn't be a eunuch."
Li Sande smiled awkwardly.
Tuoba Hong ordered: "Pass the message and inform Uncle Sun Chang to come."
Li Sande immediately made arrangements.
Not long after, Uncle Sun Chang, the old prime minister, entered the hall and saluted: "Your Majesty!"
Tuoba Hong handed the letter over, and after his uncle Sun Chang read it, he said directly: "Zhao Shan, the dog emperor, was no longer satisfied with the territory of Daqian. He secretly operated to destroy Xiliang and make Xiliang surrender."
"On the surface, Xiliang surrendered voluntarily, but it cannot conceal the fact that Zhao Shan's conspiracy was behind the scenes."
"This is scary."
Tuoba Hong said in a deep voice: "After the first time, there will be a second and third time. Zhao Shan will also attack the surrounding areas. We must be vigilant and alert."
Shu Sunchang said: "Your Majesty's words are reasonable, and we must be on guard."
A flash of light flashed across Tuoba Hong's eyes, and he ordered: "You are the prime minister of the Wei Dynasty. You have also been to Luoyang and are familiar with the situation in Luoyang."
"Now, you go to Luoyang again to congratulate Zhao Shan on his expansion of territory, and at the same time send you a corresponding gift and find a way to give Zhao Shan a distinguished title."
"After arriving in Luoyang, you should consider for yourself whether to respect Zhao Shan as the Saint Khan or the Heavenly Khan. After all, these titles have precedents."
Tuoba Hong gritted his teeth and said: "Let's imprison Zhao Shan, support him and let him go everywhere, and see what reasons he can find to plot against us? He is already being supported, so he can't always attack us."
Shusunchang praised: "Your Majesty is wise!"
Tuoba Hong snorted and said: "I'm so wise. If I were wise, I wouldn't have lost power, humiliated the country, and lost face like this. In addition to going to Luoyang, we also have to contact the Kingdom of Jin, Goguryeo, and other small affiliated countries. Go and congratulate Zhao Shan and hold him up."
Shusunchang said: "I'm afraid this matter is a bit difficult."
Tuoba said: "The countries I went to all respected Zhao Shan as their khan. At least Zhao Shan would not target us. If he didn't go, Zhao Shan would have a reason to target us, and it would have nothing to do with us. It would just divert Zhao Shan's attention." . We are only responsible for notification and invitation, it is up to others whether to go or not.”
"Wonderful, wonderful!"
Shusunchang cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty is truly a saint!"
Tuoba Hong shook his head and sighed, saying with emotion: "Since Hong was born, how can there be goodness? How unfortunate it is that I and Zhao Shansheng were born in the same era!"
